Dental care device for animals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental care device (1) for animals, having a shell (3), which is arranged within a cover (2), and a switch arrangement (13). Arranged within the shell (3) are an ultrasound-generating arrangement (9, 10) and a battery arrangement (11), wherein the battery arrangement (11) is electrically connected to the ultrasound-generating arrangement (9, 10). The ultrasound-generating arrangement (9, 10) is switchable by the switch arrangement (13). The cover (2) has protrusions (4, 5) on its outer side.

Description

[0001]Dental care device for animals The present invention relates to a dental care device for animals. In animals such as dogs, cats, or the like, just like in humans, plaque builds up over time. Plaque is a very general term for deposits on the teeth. These deposits can be a basis for bacterial growth and thus lead to problems such as gingivitis, bad breath, and discoloration, to name just a few of the consequences of deposits. To prevent such problems, various options currently exist, such as a classic manual toothbrush, finger cots, various shapes with, for example, knobs, filaments, with or without spaces for dental care products, with or without macromechanical vibrations for tooth cleaning through playful biting, or electric toothbrushes with ultrasonic generators.The aim is to remove, or at least reduce, the deposits. The manual toothbrush is used in the same way as with humans, with a person moving the toothbrush in the animal's mouth to begin cleaning the animal's teeth. The same applies to electric toothbrushes with ultrasonic generators. When using a finger cot, it is put over a person's finger so that the person cleans the teeth with the finger or finger cot in the animal's mouth. Working with a finger cot requires a certain amount of trust in the animal, as a careless movement by the animal could lead to an injury to the finger. This injury is caused, for example, by the animal biting. April 22, 2024 M 124 P 3 WO With all of these options, the animal must sit quietly and allow the teeth to clean.This is not only stressful for the animal, but also for the person performing the dental cleaning. It is not uncommon for the situation to become unbearable for the animal, resulting in the dental cleaning being interrupted. A repeated dental cleaning can have the same effect, making dental cleaning a test of patience for animals. Eventually, animals learn that the sight of an aid, such as a toothbrush or finger cot, is associated with dental cleaning, so the animal tries to avoid it and thus flees or refuses to have it cleaned. Accordingly, dental cleaning of an animal becomes very complex and time-consuming. Common dental cleaning aids that the animal bites on only clean the teeth to a limited extent, as knobs and filaments only reach the tooth surfaces haphazardly and do not clean them sufficiently.It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a way of keeping the teeth of animals efficient and simple. This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The dental care device for animals has a shell, a casing and a switch arrangement, wherein an ultrasound generating arrangement and a battery arrangement are arranged within the shell, wherein the battery arrangement is electrically connected to the ultrasound generating arrangement, wherein the ultrasound generating arrangement can be switched by the switch arrangement, wherein the shell is arranged within the casing, wherein the casing has projections on its outer side. The battery arrangement supplies the ultrasound generating arrangement with electrical energy. By means of the switch arrangement, the dental care device, in particular the 22ndApril 2024 M 124 P 3 WO Ultrasound generating arrangement can be switched from a first state to a second state, wherein in the second state the dental care device, in particular the ultrasound generating arrangement, generates ultrasound. Furthermore, the switch arrangement can switch the dental care device, in particular the ultrasound generating arrangement, from the second state to the first state in which the ultrasound generating arrangement does not generate any ultrasound. To use the dental care device, it is first switched to the second state. The ultrasound generating arrangement thus generates ultrasound, which is emitted outwards without the animal perceiving or feeling the vibrations and possibly being irritated as a result. If an animal now plays with the dental care device, this animal takes the dental care device into its mouth.There, the dental care device is in contact with the animal's teeth, so that the ultrasound generated by the ultrasound generation arrangement cleans the animal's teeth. The ultrasound generates cavitation, which achieves a cleaning effect on the teeth. The cavitation is not noticeable for the animal. The animal is happy to be able to play with the dental care device and does not have to sit still, but can romp and play. Accordingly, the dental care device for animals can also be referred to as a toy with a tooth cleaning function. The electronics (battery arrangement, ultrasound generation arrangement) are arranged within the casing. This casing protects the electronics from the animal's teeth, so that the dental care device can be reused and has a long service life. Advantageous embodiments arise from the dependent claims. April 22, 2024 M 124 P 3 WO Preferably, the projections are knobs and / or filaments.The nubs and / or filaments enable additional, thorough tooth cleaning. Furthermore, the nubs and / or filaments retain the animal's saliva, ensuring effective transmission of ultrasound from the dental care device to the animal's teeth. The filaments are, for example, bristles or the like. This supports the cleaning process and achieves effective cleaning in the spaces between the teeth. For example, filaments reach the spaces between the teeth. These spaces between the teeth are also cleaned accordingly. The casing preferably has at least one space for receiving dental care products, which is connected to the outside by at least one channel. The dental care product serves as a cleaning agent for cleaning and can also be used as a disinfectant for disinfecting the teeth.Secondly, the dental care product also serves as a transmission medium for the ultrasound, which is transmitted from the dental care device to the animal's teeth. Finally, the dental care product can also be used to make the dental care device interesting for the animal, for example by having a particular taste and / or smell. This taste and / or smell can be adapted depending on the animal or species for which the dental care device is to be used. The dental care product gradually leaves the room through at least one channel, ensuring good availability of the dental care product and evenly supplying all of the animal's teeth with the dental care product.For example, the channels can be designed in such a way that the dental care product is only brought to the outside through at least one channel when pressure is applied to the dental care device. Pressurization means, for example, that the animal bites on the April 22, 2024 M 124 P 3 WO dental care device. The dental care product is introduced into the space before use. This can be done in various ways. For example, the dental care product can be transferred directly from a tube or container into the space. Alternatively, the dental care product can, for example, first be drawn into a syringe and then specifically introduced into the space. An induction charging arrangement for charging the battery arrangement is preferably arranged within the casing.During a charging process, the induction charging assembly interacts with a station arranged outside the dental care device, so that energy is transferred from the station to the dental care device by induction, thus charging the battery assembly. Accordingly, the battery assembly is rechargeable. This has the advantage that the shell and casing are closed, without the need for additional sockets or the like. Preferably, the casing has an elastic material as a main component. Elastic material has, for example, rubber, silicone, or caoutchouc as a main component. The elastic material allows the animal's teeth to be at least partially immersed in the material without damaging the elastic material. Thus, the casing at least temporarily surrounds individual teeth of the animal, so that ultrasound is effectively transmitted, and consequently, a good cleaning effect is achieved.The dental care device preferably has a light source, a time-dependent shutdown device, a macro-vibration arrangement, and / or a communication means. The light source can, for example, indicate the charge level of the battery arrangement and / or the state of the ultrasound generation arrangement. Furthermore, the light source can, for example, arouse the animal's interest in the dental care device. The time-dependent shutdown arrangement, also called a timer, serves to transition the dental care device from the second state to the first state as soon as a previously selected time interval has elapsed. For example, the time-dependent shutdown arrangement can transition the dental care device from the second state to the first state after five minutes. This can save energy.The communication means can enable the dental care device to communicate with a smartphone or a remote control, for example, so that the dental care device can be controlled via an app or the remote control. The communication means is, for example, a Bluetooth unit, through which the dental care device can be controlled and through which communication with the dental care device can take place. For example, the dental care device can communicate information about the charge level, the ultrasonic frequency, the first or second state, the usage / playing time of the dental care device, or the like. The macro vibration arrangement allows the user (also called owner) to experience haptic feedback, for example when the switch arrangement is actuated. This haptic feedback has, for example, frequencies of 20 Hz to 300 Hz, preferably 80 Hz to 250 Hz, particularly preferably 130 Hz to 180 Hz.Furthermore, the haptic element can generate different frequencies one after the other. Furthermore, the dental care device can be moved, for example, by the vibration arrangement, so that an animal's interest in the dental care device is increased. Furthermore, the dental care device can, for example, have a loudspeaker that generates acoustic signals. Such acoustic signals are designed, for example, to reinforce the animal's instinct to play or to indicate a charge level of the battery arrangement so that the dental care device, in particular the battery arrangement, is recharged for subsequent use. From the animal's perspective, the dental care device is therefore a toy. April 22, 2024 M 124 P 3 WO The ultrasound generated by the ultrasound generation arrangement preferably has a frequency of 1 MHz to 2 MHz and a power of 0.2 W / cm² to 10 W / cm².These are preferred areas in which plaque is effectively removed, harmful bacteria are killed, and the teeth are disinfected. Ultrasound in the above-mentioned areas removes deposits from the tooth enamel by a process known as cavitation. The cavitation is not noticeable or dangerous for the animal. The animal is insensitive to cavitation. Preferably, the dental care device is shaped like an animal, a bone, a sphere, or a cylinder. The shapes can be tailored to the animal whose teeth are to be cleaned. For example, if a cat's teeth are to be cleaned, the dental care device can be shaped like a mouse or rat. This awakens the cat's playful instinct, and the cat takes the mouse into its mouth, effectively cleaning the cat's teeth.Alternative shapes of the dental care device are also bones, spheres, cylinders, cubes, cuboids, etc. For dogs, the dental care device can be designed as a bone, for example. Other shapes can be, for example, parts of animals, such as a chicken leg, chicken wing, a steak or the like. Preferably, the ultrasound generation arrangement has an ultrasound generator and piezo elements. Ultrasound can be reliably generated by this arrangement. The invention is described below using a preferred exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. Herein: The single figure shows a schematic structure of a dental care device according to the invention. April 22, 2024 M 124 P 3 WO The single figure shows a dental care device 1 according to the invention, which is designed for cleaning and disinfecting the teeth of animals. The animals are not shown in the drawing.The dental care device 1 has a casing 2 enclosing a cover 3. The casing 2 comprises an elastic material. The casing 2 has projections, which in the present embodiment are designed as knobs 4 and filaments 5. Furthermore, the dental care device 1 has a space 6 for accommodating dental care agent. This space 6 is connected to an outer side 8 of the casing 2 by channels 7. The elastic material has, for example, rubber, silicone, caoutchouc, or the like as a main component. When selecting the material for the elastic material, attention must be paid to the transmissibility of ultrasound. The elastic material can withstand the bite of an animal and is comfortable for the animal.Arranged within the casing 3 is an ultrasound generating arrangement comprising an ultrasound generator 9 as a control device and piezo elements 10 which, when an electric current is applied to a piezoelectric crystal, vibrate, thereby generating ultrasonic waves. Deviating from the embodiment shown in the figure, in which one or more piezo elements 10 are arranged inside the casing 3, one or more piezo elements 10 can be arranged on the casing 3. It is also possible to provide piezo elements 10 both on the casing 3 and inside the casing 3. Furthermore, a battery arrangement 11 is arranged inside the casing 3, which can be charged by an induction charging arrangement 12. All elements inside the casing 3 can be embedded in a mass that fixes them, insulates them, and protects them from shock. April 22, 2024 M 124 P 3 WO Furthermore, the dental care device 1 has a switch arrangement 13.The switch arrangement 13 allows the dental care device 1, in particular the ultrasound generation arrangement, to be transferred from a first state in which no ultrasound is generated, to a second state in which ultrasound is generated. The dental care device 1 has a lighting device (not shown), a time-dependent shutdown device (not shown), a vibration arrangement, a loudspeaker, and / or a communication means (not shown). When not in use, the dental care device 1 can be stored in a station 14 and inductively charged. For this purpose, the station 14 has a corresponding induction charging station. The station 14 can, for example, be adapted to the shape of the dental care device 1 so that the induction charging arrangement 12 is aligned with the induction charging station. The dental care device 1 can be shaped according to the preferences of the animal to be treated.For example, the dental care device 1 can have the shape of an animal, a bone, or geometric shapes such as spheres, balls, cylinders, cubes, or cuboids. Alternative shapes can also be parts of animals, such as chicken legs, chicken wings, steaks, or the like. The dental care device is used as follows: First, dental care agent is introduced into the chamber 6. This can be done either directly from a dental care agent container, or alternatively, the dental care agent can first be drawn into a syringe and then deposited in the chamber. The chamber 6 can, for example, be a 22ndApril 2024 M 124 P 3 WO have a non-return valve (not shown) through which the dental care product is introduced into the chamber, so that during the filling of the dental care product into the chamber, no residues of a possibly contaminated dental care product enter the dental care product container, and / or the dental care product is forced to escape through the channels 7 to the outside 8. By actuating the switch arrangement 13, by a smartphone (not shown) communicating with the dental care device, or a remote control (not shown) communicating with the dental care device, the dental care device 1 is transferred to the second state, so that ultrasound is generated. In this state, the dental care device 1 is given to an animal. The animal plays with the dental care device 1, taking the dental care device in its mouth and chewing and biting on it.Chewing and biting exert pressure on the space, so that dental care product is transferred through the channels 7 to the outside of the dental care device 1. The teeth are cleaned through the interaction of the animal's teeth with the dental care device 1. The knobs 4 and filaments 5 of the dental care device 1 support the cleaning effect. The knobs 4 and filaments 5 prevent the dental care product from flowing away directly, so that the dental care product is held to a certain extent directly against the dental care device 1. This ensures good transmission of the ultrasound from the dental care device to the teeth. Furthermore, the channels 7 can be adjusted so that neither too much nor too little dental care product is taken from the space 6 at once. This ensures that there is always a sufficient amount of dental care product in use throughout the entire cleaning process. The channels 7 can also be used by 22.April 2024 M 124 P 3 WO the space 6 to a surface of the knobs 4 or filaments 5. The filaments 5 are, for example, bristles or the like. The light source (not shown) can, for example, indicate whether the battery arrangement 11 is fully charged or what state the dental care device 1 is in. Furthermore, the light source can be used to increase the animal's interest in the dental care device. The vibration arrangement (not shown) gives the user haptic feedback when, for example, the switch arrangement is actuated. Furthermore, the vibration arrangement can, for example, move the dental care device in order to elicit or increase the animal's play instinct. The time-dependent switch-off device, also called a timer, can automatically transfer the dental care device 1 from the second state to the first state after a previously defined time interval.The battery arrangement is thus conserved by limiting energy consumption by the ultrasound generation arrangement. The communication means are used for communication with, for example, a smartphone or a remote control. Accordingly, the communication means is, for example, a Bluetooth module. The dental care device 1 can be controlled by a smartphone and an app. For example, the time after which the time-dependent shutdown device transfers the dental care device 1 from the second state to the first state can be set. Furthermore, the frequency and strength of the ultrasound can be set, for example. The shape of the dental care device 1 can be adapted to the preferences of the animal whose teeth are to be cared for. For example, a cat might be interested in the shape of a mouse, while a dog might be interested in a duck.This can awaken the animal's playful instinct, making it fun to have their teeth cleaned. The ultrasound can have a frequency of 1 MHz to 2 MHz, which is imperceptible to animals, and a power of 0.2 W / cm² to 10 W / cm². At these values, cavitation is generated, which is capable of removing deposits from smooth tooth enamel, killing harmful bacteria, and disinfecting. April 22, 2024 M 124 P 3 WO.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 23 October 2024 (23.10.2024) 1. Dental care device for animals, wherein the dental care device (1) comprises a shell (3), a casing (2) and a switch arrangement (13), wherein an ultrasound generating arrangement (9, 10) and a battery arrangement (11) are arranged within the shell (3), wherein the battery arrangement (11) is electrically connected to the ultrasound generating arrangement (9, 10), wherein the ultrasound generating arrangement (9, 10) is switchable by the switch arrangement (13), wherein the shell (3) is arranged within the casing (2), wherein the casing (2) has projections (4, 5) on its outer side, characterized in that the casing (2) has at least one space (6) for receiving dental care agent, which is connected to the outer side (8) by at least one channel (7), wherein the shell (3) encloses the ultrasound generating arrangement (9,10) and the battery assembly (11) and the space (6) is arranged between the shell (3) and the casing (2), wherein the at least one channel (7) is formed as an opening in the casing (2).

2. Dental care device according to claim 1, wherein the projections are knobs (4) and / or filaments (5).

3. Dental care device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an induction charging arrangement (12) for charging the battery arrangement (11) is arranged within the casing (3), which is electrically connected to the battery arrangement (11).

4. Dental care device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheath (2) has an elastic material as a main component.

5. Dental care device according to claim 4, wherein the cover (3) consists of a material which is stiffer than the casing (2) 6. Dental care device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dental care device comprises a lighting means, a time-dependent shutdown device, a macro-vibration arrangement and / or a communication means.

7. Dental care device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein ultrasound with a frequency of 1 MHz to 2 MHz and a power of 0.2 W / cm 2 up to 10 W / cm 2 can be generated by the ultrasound generating arrangement (9, 10).

8. Dental care device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the casing (2) has a shape of an animal, a bone, a sphere or a cylinder.

9. Dental care device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ultrasound generating arrangement comprises an ultrasound generator (9) and piezo elements (10).

10. Dental care device according to claim 9, wherein the piezo elements (10) are arranged inside the casing (3) or on the casing (3).

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